Liu Chengzhi pressed on: "Your Majesty, since ancient times, reading and understanding reason is the way of the sages. If one disregards the way of the sages and can obtain a high position simply by using a skill for personal livelihood, how will the scholars and Confucian students, who pursue sagehood, find their place? This phenomenon is likely to shake the very foundation of the nation and make scholars question their future and the way of the sages."
The two believed their words to be logical, sincere, and earnest, with a burning hope that the Emperor might pause this idea that could destabilize the nation's core.
Jinrong's face darkened repeatedly; he wanted to argue, but the Emperor spoke first.
